Recently I
was speaking at a local school about the importance of books and the emerging
technology of e-books. During the presentation
I was asked by a teenager why I wanted to write about vampires. The words were polite but the meaning was
clear…why would an old lady (I hastily add that I’m not yet in my dotage) be
interested in the paranormal world? At
first I was stumped. Why wouldn’t I
write about vampires? Then I realized
that she didn’t have a clue that vampires and zombies and things that go bump
in the night have been around since cavemen sat around the fire to tell ghost
stories.
Personally I
think that those of us who are slipping and sliding toward middle age were
privileged to have spent our childhood inundated with the most wonderful
plethora of horror, Sci-Fi, and campy craziness. I fell in love with the paranormal when I
was a very young girl. I never missed an
episode of Dark Shadows and my Saturday afternoons were devoted to Sci-Fi
flicks that were as cheesy as they were fun.
How could you not love Night of
the Lepus? Killer bunnies…always a
classic. Even my Saturday morning
cartoons were devoted to Scooby Doo chasing bad-guys disguised as ghosts.
And, of
course, there were writers who were offering fabulous stories long before the
current books were hitting the shelves. I
read a tattered copy of the Hobbit when I was in sixth grade and was fascinated
by the glimpse into a land of fantasy. Suddenly
there were magical worlds that offered escape from reality and I became a
permanent fixture in our local library, consuming the latest books as soon as
they hit the shelves. And there was such
a vast selection. Traditional horror
from Stephen King, fantasy from David Eddings, and Sci Fi from Stephen R.
Donaldson, as well as the gothic romances of Victoria Holt that made me shiver
in delight.
All of these
influences have impacted my taste in reading as well as my love for
writing. My latest book, Devoured by
Darkness, is the seventh in the Guardian of Eternity series. The series that started with When Darkness
Comes, is a combination of my love for dark, sexy vampires who are willing to
sacrifice their lives to protect those they love , daring adventure, and quirky
fantasy.
And while
the writers of today are putting their own unique twist on the paranormal
world, from steampunk to urban fantasy, they’re building on a legacy handed
down by previous authors that must be nurtured and honored and passed on to the
next generation with a reminder of those
who came before us.
To celebrate
all the great writers who came before me, I’m giving away a digital copy of Born in
Blood (kindle or nook) Just tell me your
favorite writer!!
20 comments:
A tie between Sarra Cannon & Kimberly Stedronsky.
I have many favorite writers. My most favorite to date is still Debbie Macomber though. Perhaps because she was one of the first few authors I read when I first starting reading romance.
Unfair question for me to answer as I have many favorites, you included. Since Kelley Armstrong was my first PRN read she's included along with Larissa Ion and Joan Swan. I could go on and on but won't ;).
Alexandra ivy and chloe neill.
Favorite author of all time is Julie Garwood. Her book "Prince Charming" was the first alt book I read. The story just captured me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. There I was under my blanket with a flashlight reading until my eyes burned. I have every book from her collection and every so often I go back and go in a familiar adventure with new details that capture my attention.
I have so many but I guess the author who introduced me to the genre was JR. Ward.
Very tough question to answer. I have several favorites. The first three authors to introduce me were J.R. Ward, Larissa Ione, and Lara Adrian.
Thanks for such a great post and congrats to Alexandra on the new release! Ummm... I'd have to go with Edgar Allan Poe, Ann McCaffery, and J.R.R. Tolkien. It was them that got me hooked into the paranormal as a kid :)
I'ce read many great authors but so far my favorite would be Sherrilyn Kenyon
Oh my its so hard to just choose one. I have several favorite authors that I can narrow it down to my top three which are Ilona Andrews, Jeaniene Frost, & J.R. Ward.
Ok, I'll admit I started as a teenager with Victoria Holt and used to sneak downstairs on Saturday night to watch Dark Shadows after my parents went to bed. (They still don't know.) As a child, I adored Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators reading everyone I could get my hands on while scared to death. Let's face it; we are a culture of supernatural lovers from back in time. I still love a good Agatha Christie though.
I have a LOT of favorites, but right now it would have to be a toss up between George RR Martin, Bill Bryson, Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman.
Karen Hawkins
Nalini Singh is at the top of my list but I love a lot of authors' books.
Lots of great writers but for me, it's Gena Showalter
I would say for me, it's Pamela Palmer, Gena Showalter and Lora Leigh
Ilona andrews (at this moment, changes with each new world i find)
I have several Alexandra Ivy, Lara Adrian, Tessa Dawn and Laura Wright are amongst the top 10 of my must read authors.
That's a tough one and very close. I think I can narrow it down to Ilona Andrew, Jeaniene Frost, Larissa Ione, and Karen Moning.
jmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu
Well I'll have to name a few, Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb, Christine Feehan, Susan Mallery, Jill Shalvis, Jane Porter, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Cassandra Clare, and Helen Bianchin just to name a few.
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